Agencies/Doha

Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation president Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah (right) shakes hands with Anthony West who is one of the riders of QMMF Racing Team in Moto2 in the World Championship
Qatar is hosting the second round of the 2012 FIM Endurance World Championship. The 8 Hours of Doha will take place at the Losail International circuit on June 9.
Despite the absence of the SRC Kawasaki, winners of the Bol d’Or in mid-April, a lively and exciting race is expected, especially as some of the factory teams have brought top Japanese riders into their garages.
The Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT) has signed up Yukio Kagayama, who kept the crowd on the edge of their seats at the last Suzuka 8 Hour race, to support Vincent Philippe, now healthy again after breaking his collarbone at the Bol d’Or, and Anthony Delhalle.
And for good measure, Monster Energy Yamaha YART has given its crew a boost by signing Noriyuki Haga. The Japanese Yamaha rider, who is riding in
British Superbike this year, will be joining Igor Jerman and Gwen Giabbani.
In Superstock the ranks of the favourites are closing. Team Penz 13 Kraftwerk Herpigny Racing (BMW) is well placed after a podium at the Bold’Or ahead of Starteam 67 (Suzuki), DG Sport Herock (Yamaha) with Alexander Cudlin.
Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation willl have two teams in the Superstock category:
Qatar Endurance Racing Team (QERT) 95 will be formed by Nasser al-Malki, Anthony West and Nina Prinz.
Nasser al-Malki and Nina Prinz already participated last year in Doha 8Hours. Anthony West is one of the riders of QMMF Racing Team in Moto2 in the World Championship.
In Qatar Endurance Racing Team II (QERT II) 96 the riders will be Saeed al-Sulati, Elena Rosell and Sultan al-Kuwari. Elena Rosell is the team mate of
Anthony West in Moto2 in the QMMF Racing Team in the World Championship.
The 8 Hours of Doha will start on Saturday 9 June at 1700hrs, an hour and a half before the sun sets over.